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Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of Strabane District Council
11th April 2006
Minutes of the Meeting of Strabane District Council held in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, 47 Derry Road, Strabane on Tuesday 11 April 2006 at 7.30 p.m.
Present: - In the Chair: Councillor B McMahon
Other Members: Councillors I Barr, A Bresland, D Breslin, J Donnell, J Emery, G Foley, D Hussey, T McBride, C McHugh, E McMenamin, J McNulty, J O’Kane
Total = 13
In Attendance: Clerk & Chief Executive, Business Manager, Administrative Assistant
Apologies: Councillors T Kerrigan, C McGill, K McGuire
The Chairman welcomed Members and staff to the meeting and noted that Members’ place names were now in use, which he felt were decorative items, which would also be beneficial.
Best Wishes
The Chairman understood that Councillor Kerrigan was due to go into hospital and wished it recorded that best wishes were extended to him from the Chairman and Members.
Minutes
The Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Council held on Tuesday 7 March 2006 were adopted as a true record of the meeting on the proposal of Councillor Breslin seconded by Councillor O’Kane and signed by the Chairman.
Councillor McBride joined the meeting at this point. (7.35 p.m.)
Minutes
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Tuesday 14 March 2006 were adopted as a true record of the meeting on the proposal of Councillor O’Kane seconded by Councillor Barr and signed by the Chairman.
Minutes
The Minutes of the Economic Development Committee Meeting held on Wednesday 15 March 2006 were adopted as a true record of the meeting on the proposal of Councillor O’Kane seconded by Councillor Barr.
Councillor Hussey joined the meeting at this point. (7.40 p.m.)
Matters Arising from Minutes
Page 12 – Bready Cricket Club
In response to Councillor Hussey, the Chief Executive (CE) said that he would seek a verbal update to be given at the Committee meeting the following evening.
Minutes
The Minutes of the Corporate and Regulatory Services Committee held on Tuesday 21 March 2006 were adopted as a true record of the meeting on the proposal of Councillor Breslin seconded by Councillor McMenamin.
Matters Arising from Minutes
Page 4 - Glenelly Development Trust
Councillor Emery noted that he had recently received a letter from the Trust. The CE said that the Community Support Officer had been in contact with the group and a meeting was to be arranged. Councillor McBride noted that he had also received a letter from the Trust.
Minutes
The Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 22 March 2006 were adopted as a true record of the meeting on the proposal of Councillor Bresland seconded by Councillor McNulty and signed by the Chairman.
Minutes
The Minutes of the Culture, Arts & Leisure Committee Meeting held on Monday 27 March 2006 were adopted as a true record of the meeting on the proposal of Councillor Barr seconded by Councillor McMenamin subject to the following amendment:
Page 12, Strabane Fair Day, final paragraph (St. Patrick’s Day Parade)
Delete ‘confronted’ and insert ‘uncomfortable’.
Matters Arising from Minutes
Page 16 - CCTV
Councillor McBride queried the up to date position of the establishment of a working group. He felt that it was important to follow the timetable of the programme.
Councillor McNulty said that an all-party meeting had been arranged for 13 April 2006. The CE said that he would clarify if notification had been sent to relevant Members.
Page 18 – Strike Action (Local Government Pension Scheme)
In response to Councillor McBride, the CE said that the next strike action was planned for 26 April 2006. He noted that he had met with Union representatives earlier that day and that the Chief Technical Services Officer (CTSO) would be liaising with the North West Regional Waste Management Group to confirm arrangements for dealing with issues on that day.
Minutes
The Minutes of the Environment Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 28 March 2006 were adopted as a true record of the meeting on the proposal of Councillor Breslin seconded by Councillor Bresland.
Matters Arising from Minutes
Page 6 - Planning Applications J/2005/0896 Mr & Mrs A Young & J/2005/1138 Mr A Lowry
Councillor Hussey said that the Divisional Planning Manager (DPM) had refused meetings on the above applications. He said that he had spoken with the DPM and understood that refusals were being issued. He noted that both applicants would appeal the decisions.
AGREED
It was agreed that letters of support would be sent when appeals were made on these applications and that Members attending the Appeals process would do so in their capacity as elected representatives.
Page 8 – Anti Litter Strategy (illegal dumping)
Councillor McNulty congratulated the CTSO on the radio and press interviews undertaken regarding the anti litter weekend in Strabane town. He felt that the vast majority of residents appreciated Council’s intentions of raising awareness of this issue.
The Chairman wished to record his appreciation to the CTSO and the Working Group for all the work undertaken in this matter.
Councillor McMenamin said that, given the recent publicity, he hoped that Council could now move forward and hire a litter warden and subsequently prosecute people who disposed of litter on the streets.
Councillor McNulty felt that there had been a marked increase in illegal dumping despite the provision of civic amenity sites and Council providing free bulky items collections.
Councillor Bresland noted that there had been illegal dumping behind the factory where Melmount Foods used to be located.
Councillor Barr referred to the difficulties faced by some residents who did not have access to transport in order to transfer items to civic amenity sites. He referred to the 2 free bulky items collections per year provided by Council and said that there were a number of items that did not qualify under the criteria. He also referred to the reality of Government imposing a bin collection charge on households.
Councillor McBride felt that it was clear from recent press coverage that some of the illegal dumping had been undertaken by using vehicles to transport the waste. He also felt that the offenders were often from organised businesses. He referred to the powers of the Environment Heritage Service (EHS) to prosecute offenders.
Councillor Breslin understood that the EHS was passing these powers to Councils to take prosecutions against fly tipping.
Page 9 – Mechanical Biological Treatment Study
Councillor McNulty referred to a recent presentation given by Colm McCrossan from Donegal County Council to the North West Regional Waste Management Group on the use of bio energy. He felt that the presentation would be beneficial for Council. Councillor Hussey said that it had been an excellent presentation and was very relevant to the rural community.
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor McNulty, seconded by Councillor Hussey it was agreed to invite Colm McCrossan to give a presentation to Council.
Chest, Heart & Stoke (NI)
Correspondence from NI Chest, Heart & Stroke had been circulated for Members’ attention relating to their 60th anniversary with a request for Council to host a birthday celebration for their clients, carers and volunteers in the district area.
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor Hussey, seconded by Councillor McNulty it was agreed to host a Chairman’s reception and ensure that all groups within the district area were involved which may result in an increased number of participants. It was felt that it would be beneficial to obtain a summary of the local involvement/meetings for Members’ information.
Sperrin Lakeland
Correspondence from Sperrin Lakeland had been circulated for Members’ attention requesting Council nominations for the Voluntary Community Liaison Forum and the Project Design Evaluation Forum within the Developing Better Services project.
A discussion ensued and Members’ views included:
· Council had 2 Members represented on the hospital campaign steering group
· It would seem logical for those Members to be involved
· Was expertise e.g. building control etc. needed for the Project Design Forum
· Queried Members’ involvement in the Design Forum given the current position of the Hospital Campaign and that the Design Forum would consider the concept of a new hospital
AGREED
It was agreed to seek further information and subject to details received, it was further agreed to approach Councillor Kerrigan and Councillor McGill to participate in the Forums.
Quarry Products Association
A letter from Quarry Products Association had been circulated for Members’ attention concerning proposed cuts in the roads maintenance allocations as outlined in the Draft Priorities and Budget for NI 2005. A previous response from Roads Service on this issue was also circulated to Members.
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor Emery, seconded by Councillor McBride it was agreed to invite a representative from Quarry Products Association to make a presentation to Council.
Council Committee Structure Review
A report from the Business Manager (BM) including recommendations from the Working Party had been circulated for Members’ attention.
The BM referred to the report and the notes of the meeting of the Working Party. She said that approval was now sought for the recommendations in order to take the proposals forward.
Environment Committee/Planning Meeting
The BM said that it had previously been agreed to defer a decision regarding a separate Planning meeting until after the outcome of the March Environment Committee meeting which incorporated the pre-meetings with the Planning Officer. She noted that a number of changes were currently taking place within the Planning Service and she felt that perhaps it would be beneficial for Council to await clarity in these areas prior to making any substantial changes to the Environment Committee meeting. She added that consideration would also be required to the Chairmanship/Vice-Chairmanship of any proposed separate Planning meeting given Council’s agreed usage of the D’Hondt system.
A discussion ensued and Members’ views included:
· Environment Committee meeting in April to proceed as in March 2006
· Pre-meetings with Planning Officer to continue in April 2006
· Review in new term of Council
· Office meetings to be used for debating planning applications
· Given that the CTSO did not make a report in March, it would be beneficial to consider the length of the meeting in April 2006 which will incorporate a report from the CTSO
· Deferred Planning Schedule should be dealt with collectively rather than considering each item
· Given Lord Rooker’s announcement on rural planning, discussion may be reduced
· Deferred Schedule should be open for Members’ views to be given
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor McHugh, seconded by Councillor McNulty it was agreed that the Environment Committee meeting scheduled for April 2006 would follow the same format as the March meeting i.e. standard format with planning pre-meeting. A decision on more permanent changes to the Environment Committee meeting to be reviewed after the April meeting.
Open to Public/Press
The BM referred to the recommendation that all Committee meetings be opened to the press and public.
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor Barr, seconded by Councillor Emery it was agreed to commence this new procedure from May 2006. It was further agreed that a 3 month review be undertaken to compare the length of meetings.
Deputising Chief Executive at Committee Meetings
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor O’Kane, seconded by Councillor Bresland it was agreed that Chief Officers/Heads of Departments would deputise the CE at respective Committee meetings, effective immediately. It was noted that any issue, which could not be dealt with directly at the Committee meetings, would be passed for the CE’s attention the next day.
Consultation: Draft Planning Policy Statement 14 – Sustainable Development in the Countryside
A copy of the consultation document had been circulated for Members’ attention. The CE referred to a letter he had received from Omagh District Council asking neighbouring Councils to develop a combined response to the consultation document.
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor McBride, seconded by Councillor Bresland it was agreed that Council should participate in a co-ordinated regional response and that Councillors Donnell, Hussey, McBride and McGill together with an Officer participate in this matter, including proposed meetings.
Burial Rights Grants
On the proposal of Councillor Emery, seconded by Councillor McBride, forms of grant in respect of the following were signed and sealed on behalf of Council: -
ARDSTRAW CEMETERY
Thomas Graham Hamilton
7 The Brambles
Ballymagorry
Strabane 1 plot
CASTLEDERG CEMETERY
Robert Gummerson
11 Ashleigh Court
Kilclean Road
Castlederg 1 plot
George Crompton
118 Strabane Road
Castlederg 1 plot
Charlotte Allen
64 Tivenny Road
Victoria Bridge 2 plots
MOUNTCASTLE CEMETERY
Samuel Peoples
c/o 55 Dullerton Road
Bready 1 plot
URNEY CEMETERY
Walter Grayson
c/o 53 Dunnalong Road
Bready 1 plot
On the proposal of Councillor Emery seconded by Councillor Foley the meeting went “into Committee”.
On the proposal of Councillor McNulty, seconded by Councillor Foley the meeting went ‘out of committee’.
Any Other Business
Knife Amnesty Scheme
The CE referred to a letter from NILGA, which had been circulated for Members’ information. He said that a letter from the Northern Ireland Office had originally been sent in March and that the CTSO would refer to the scheme in his April report, as there were implications for Council.
Local Government Partnership on Traveller Issues – Use of Chamber
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor McMenamin, seconded by Councillor Breslin it was agreed to host a meeting of the above partnership in the Council Chamber and to include lunch on 19 May 2006.
Social Housing in the Rural Settlements
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor O’Kane, seconded by Councillor Emery retrospective approval was granted for Councillor attendance at a meeting relating to the above at the Mellon Country Inn earlier that day.
Strabane 10K Run/Walk
The CE reported for Members’ information that O’Neill Sportswear would be sponsoring tee-shirts for the above.
Use of Council Chamber
AGREED
On the proposal of Councillor McNulty, seconded by Councillor Foley it was agreed that the Human Resources Department use the Chamber for hearing tests on 1 and 8 June 2006.
Chamber of Commerce
In response to Councillor McNulty, the CE said the EDO would raise a request from the Chamber of Commerce at the Committee meeting the following evening.
The meeting concluded at 8.40 p.m.
DATED this 11th day of APRIL 2006
SIGNED ___________________________
Clerk & Chief Executive
DATED this 9th day of MAY 2006
SIGNED ___________________________
Chairman of the Council
